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In the Quiet of Our Hearts, Let Us Hear the Silent Sobs of the World
Dear Beloved Family in Faith,
As I sit at my desk, pen in hand, and ponder the profoundness of life, I'm reminded that each of us is an unfolding narrative. Every soul is a sacred story, and these stories are penned not by human hands but by the Divine. God, the Great Author, weaves intricate tapestries of life with threads of love, joy, sorrow, and growth—each of us, a unique chapter in a larger celestial volume.
In the soft glow of our sanctuary candles or in the comfort of our homes, let's take a quiet moment to breathe deeply and open our hearts to the world. Like many of you, I have been consumed with the horrific images coming out of the Holy Land. We are all aware of the devastation of this conflict and the horrors of war, and while the Holy Land steals our attention, you may not be aware of the many armed conflicts across the globe. Currently, the Geneva Academy is monitoring at least 110 armed conflicts globally. I ask you to close your eyes for a moment and imagine the faces and hearts behind this staggering number.
In many places, dear ones suffer, not as statistics but as real people—children like our own, mothers and fathers, grandparents, and friends. Basic needs for food, clean water, and shelter are not met, transforming ordinary lives into extraordinary struggles. As we bow our heads in prayer today, remember them—not as faraway souls, but as our brothers and sisters, our children in God.
Our faith enlightens us to the inherent dignity of every human being, reminding us that each life reflects the very image of God. To embrace this truth is to uphold the sanctity of all lives, to recognize that every face we see, whether in our immediate circles or on the distant horizon of the nightly news, bears the imprints of divine love and creative power.
But what happens when conflict rends the fabric of these sacred stories? What happens when discord enters, tearing a page from the holy book that is someone's life? Be it a societal conflict that impacts communities or personal trials that shake individuals to their core—when a life is shattered, it grieves not just us but also the Divine who crafted it.
And yet, amidst the shards of shattered lives, our faith offers a lens of hope. It teaches us that even in the gravest of circumstances, each life remains invaluable. The torn pages can be mended, not perhaps to their original form, but into a new narrative that incorporates both the pain of the tear and the hope of restoration. We are each granted the freedom, and indeed, the obligation, to become co-authors with God in rewriting these stories.
The work of mending begins with each one of us. It starts in our homes, extends to our communities, and radiates outward to the entire world. In our actions, words, and prayers, we must be agents of justice and kindness. When we stand up for the marginalized, offer a listening ear or a helping hand, and act as peacemakers in a world teeming with conflict, we honor not only God's creation but also His intent for a world imbued with fairness and benevolence.
Empathy is like a soft whisper, a murmur that crosses over mountains and oceans into barricaded cities and refugee camps. We're called to feel with others—not just those within our immediate circle, but those far away. When we feel together, our collective hearts lighten the burdens of sorrow and despair. It's as if God’s love multiplies, reaching dark corners we couldn’t even imagine.
Our commitment to viewing every soul as a sacred story obliges us not to turn a blind eye to suffering or injustice. It calls us not merely to say but to demonstrate that Black Lives Matter; not simply to voice, but to manifest our love and support for our LGBTQ+ brothers, sisters, and neighbors; not just to articulate but to show through deeds that every immigrant life is valuable; and not only to speak but to enact our care for the planet we call home. Not only to call out acts of violence, whether physical or by word but to practice living a nonviolent life in word and deed, lifting the light and love of Christ in all people.
Remember, when you extend compassion, justice, and love, you don't just turn the pages of your own sacred story; you become an instrument through which others can rewrite theirs. And in doing so, we collectively craft a world narrative that aligns with God’s vision—one of justice, kindness, and unending love.
As co-authors of this divine narrative, we journey together, side by side, upholding the sanctity of every life and soul—a sacred story.
Let’s come together, holding hands in spirit, for a shared moment of prayer. While prayer heals the soul, let's not forget that faith is most alive when it is expressed through deeds. Whether donating to relief organizations, volunteering time, or simply sharing stories that need to be heard, let our actions echo our prayers.
Let’s take a moment to bow our heads and pray:
“Dearest God, our hearts ache for the suffering in Your world. Let each beat of our hearts send ripples of Your boundless love and mercy to those in dire need. Strengthen us, Lord, to be Your hands and feet on this Earth, guided by empathy, driven by love, and devoted to uplifting the dignity of all Your children. Amen.”
Dear ones, I hold you all in prayer and love. Let us go forward, each in our way, embodying the lessons of empathy and dignity, bringing light to a world that so deeply needs it.
May we each find in our hearts the wellspring of God's love, a love that knows no boundaries and recognizes no divisions, as we seek to bring peace and comfort to all the children of God.
In abiding love and faith,
Mo. Allison+
May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guide your hearts and minds in the days to come. Amen.
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